Sound Design Fundamentals

All sound is vibration. All synthesis is math.

The Basic Waveforms

• Sine: Pure tone, no harmonics
• Square: Odd harmonics, hollow sound
• Sawtooth: All harmonics, rich and bright
• Triangle: Odd harmonics, softer than square

Subtractive Synthesis

Start with a harmonically rich waveform, then filter out what you don't want.

ADSR Envelope

Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release -- the shape of a sound over time.

1interface Envelope {
2  attack: number   // Time to reach peak
3  decay: number    // Time to reach sustain level
4  sustain: number  // Level class="text-category-tech font-medium">while held (0-1)
5  release: number  // Time to silence after release
6}